After a three-year hiatus, the Bayou Bucket returns Saturday at TDECU Stadium.

"It's for bragging rights," UH coach Major Applewhite said.

"It would be great to get the Bucket back in the locker room," Rice coach David Bailiff said.

UH has won the last three meetings and holds a 29-11 edge overall.

Here are some of the memorable games in the previous 40 meetings:

Nov. 27, 1976: Houston 42, Rice 20

Photo: Curtis McGee, HC Staff

UH's Alois Blackwell (32) had lots to celebrate in the 1976 game.

UH's Alois Blackwell (32) had lots to celebrate in the 1976 game.

Location: Rice Stadium

Alois Blackwell scored three touchdowns as the Cougars clinched the Southwest Conference crown in in their first season as a member. UH went on to beat Maryland in the Cotton Bowl to finish 10-2 with a No. 4 ranking.

Dec. 2, 1989: Houston 64, Rice 0

Photo: Howard Castleberry, HC Staff

Cougars quarterback Andre Ware earned a ride off the field from his teammates after beating Rice in the final game of his Heisman Trophy campaign in 1989.

Cougars quarterback Andre Ware earned a ride off the field from his...

Location: Rice Stadium

With the Cougars on probation and ineligible for the postseason, Andre Ware put on a final show in a record-setting season as the Cougars cruised to the most lopsided win in the Bayou Bucket series. Ware was 36-of-51 for 400 yards and two touchdowns, capping off a season in which he threw for 4,699 yards and broke 16 NCAA records. Shortly after the game, Ware won the Heisman Trophy in a close ballot over Indiana running back Anthony Thompson.

Nov. 29, 1986: Rice 14, Houston 13

Location: Astrodome

The Owls scored 14 points in the final 5 minutes, 36 seconds to spoil the final game for UH coach Bill Yeoman. Rice's win - under first-year coach Jerry Berndt - snapped a five-game losing streak to UH.

Sept. 29: 1990: Houston 24, Rice 22

Location: Astrodome

Roman Anderson kicked a 32-yard field goal with 10 seconds left as the No. 13 Cougars avoided the upset. Rice led 22-7 in the third quarter before UH quarterback David Klingler tossed two touchdowns to begin the comeback.

Nov. 26, 1994: Rice 31, Houston 13

Location: Astrodome

Backup quarterback Chad Nelson, playing for injured starter Josh LaRocca, rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown as the Owls clinched a share of the Southwest Conference title with Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech and Texas. It was the Owls' first shared or outright conference championship since 1957.

Dec. 2, 1995: Houston 18, Rice 17

Photo: Chuck Clements

Chuck Clements helped rally UH to a victory over Rice in 1995.

Chuck Clements helped rally UH to a victory over Rice in 1995.

Location: Rice Stadium

Down 17-3, the Cougars rallied for two fourth-quarter touchdowns - the last coming on a 43-yarder from Chuck Clements to Larkay James with 1:19 remaining - in the final game in Southwest Conference history. Even then the game was not decided until Rice kicker Mike Ruff's 38-yard field goal attempt missed wide right.

Nov. 29, 2008: Rice 56, Houston 42

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff

James Casey had a monster day at UH's expense in 2008.

James Casey had a monster day at UH's expense in 2008.

Location: Rice Stadium

The legend of 'Thor' was born, as multi-talented Owls star James Casey had 12 catches for 172 yards and three touchdowns, ran for a fourth score and threw for another. Rice quarterback Chase Clement tossed five touchdowns as the Owls went on to the Texas Bowl and finished with 10 wins for just the second time in school history.

Sept. 5, 2004: Rice 10, Houston 7

Location: Reliant Stadium

In the lowest-scoring game in the rivalry's history, defensive end John Syptak had a pair of sacks and the Owls just missed a shutout. The Cougars were held to 212 yards total offense, 99 coming on the final drive as Kelvin Kolb hooked up with Vincent Marshall for a 33-yard touchdown with 9 seconds left.

Nov. 2, 2000: Rice 30, Houston 27 (OT)

Location: Rice Stadium

The Owls celebrated the 50th birthday of Rice Stadium with the only overtime game in the rivalry. UH tied the game with 39 seconds left in regulation and went ahead on a field goal to begin OT. Aided by a pass interference call in the end zone, the Owls had the ball at the goal line and needed four chances before Robbie Beck plunged in for the winning touchdown.

Oct. 27, 2011: Houston 73, Rice 34

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff

Case Keenum (center) celebrates with his UH teammates after a monster Bayou Bucket game in 2011 at Robertson Stadium.

Case Keenum (center) celebrates with his UH teammates after a...

Location: Robertson Stadium

After erasing a 10-point deficit, it was the Case Keenum Show. The Cougars' star quarterback (opposite page) threw for 534 yards and nine touchdowns as the Cougars piled up 73 points on the Owls for the second time in three years. Tyler Smith (170) and Turner Petersen (140) accounted for most of the Owls' 359 rushing yards.

Sept. 14, 1974: Houston 21, Rice 0

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

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Bayou Bucket

Teams: Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls

Introduced: 1974

Click through the gallery to see other notable college football rivalry trophies.

Bayou Bucket

Teams:Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls

Introduced: 1974

Click through the gallery to see other notable college football rivalry trophies.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

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Golden Hat

Teams: Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners (Red River Rivalry)

Introduced: 1941

Golden Hat

Teams: Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners (Red River Rivalry)

Introduced: 1941

Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press

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Wagon Wheel

Teams: Akron Zips vs. Kent State Golden Flashes

Introduced: 1946

Wagon Wheel

Teams: Akron Zips vs. Kent State Golden Flashes

Introduced: 1946

Photo: Diamond Images, Diamond Images/Getty Images

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Stanford Axe

Teams: Stanford Cardinal vs. California Golden Bears

Introduced: 1933

Stanford Axe

Teams: Stanford Cardinal vs. California Golden Bears

Introduced: 1933

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

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Iron Skillet

Teams: TCU Horned Frogs vs. SMU Mustangs

Introduced: 1950s

Iron Skillet

Teams: TCU Horned Frogs vs. SMU Mustangs

Introduced: 1950s

Photo: VERNON BRYANT, MCT

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Old Oaken Bucket

Teams: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Purdue Boilermakers

Introduced: 1925

Old Oaken Bucket

Teams: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Purdue Boilermakers

Introduced: 1925

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Bronze Boot

Teams: Wyoming Cowboys vs. Colorado State Rams (Border War)

Introduced: 1968

Bronze Boot

Teams: Wyoming Cowboys vs. Colorado State Rams (Border War)

Introduced: 1968

Photo: Karl Gehring, Denver Post Via Getty Images

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Floyd of Rosedale

Teams:Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Introduced: 1935

Floyd of Rosedale

Teams:Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Introduced: 1935

Photo: David Purdy, Getty Images

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Fremont Cannon

Teams: Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UNLV Rebels

Introduced: 1970

Fremont Cannon

Teams: Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UNLV Rebels

Introduced: 1970

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Golden Egg

Teams: Ole Miss Rebels vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Introduced: 1927

Golden Egg

Teams: Ole Miss Rebels vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Introduced: 1927

Photo: Matthew Sharpe, Getty Images

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Heartland Trophy

Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers

Introduced: 2004

Heartland Trophy

Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers

Introduced: 2004

Photo: David Purdy, Getty Images

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Keg of Nails

Teams: Louisville Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

Introduced: 1929

Keg of Nails

Teams: Louisville Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

Introduced: 1929

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Little Brown Jug

Teams: Michigan Wolverines vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Introduced: 1903

Little Brown Jug

Teams: Michigan Wolverines vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Introduced: 1903

Photo: Leon Halip, Getty Images

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Megaphone Trophy

Teams: Michigan State Spartans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Introduced: 1949

Megaphone Trophy

Teams: Michigan State Spartans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Introduced: 1949

Photo: Mark Cunningham, Getty Images

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Paul Bunyan's Axe

Teams: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Introduced: 1948

Paul Bunyan's Axe

Teams: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Introduced: 1948

Photo: Jeff Gross, Getty Images

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Paul Bunyan Trophy

Teams: Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans

Introduced: 1953

Paul Bunyan Trophy

Teams: Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans

Introduced: 1953

Photo: Damian Strohmeyer, Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

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Commander in Chief's Trophy

Teams: Air Force Falcons, Navy Midshipmen, Army Black Knights

Introduced: 1972

Commander in Chief's Trophy

Teams: Air Force Falcons, Navy Midshipmen, Army Black Knights

Introduced: 1972

Photo: U.S. Navy, Getty Images

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Indian War Drum

Teams: Kansas Jayhawks vs. Missouri Tigers

Introduced: 1937

Indian War Drum

Teams: Kansas Jayhawks vs. Missouri Tigers

Introduced: 1937

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Milk Can

Teams: Boise State Broncos vs. Fresno State Bulldogs

Introduced: 2006

Milk Can

Teams: Boise State Broncos vs. Fresno State Bulldogs

Introduced: 2006

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Illibuck

Teams: llinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Introduced: 1925

Illibuck

Teams: llinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Introduced: 1925

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Jeweled Shillelagh

Teams: USC Trojans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Introduced: 1952

Jeweled Shillelagh

Teams: USC Trojans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Introduced: 1952

Photo: Todd Rosenberg, Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

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Telephone Trophy

Teams: Missouri Tigers vs. Iowa State Cyclones

Introduced: 1959

Telephone Trophy

Teams: Missouri Tigers vs. Iowa State Cyclones

Introduced: 1959

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Okefenokee Oar

Teams: Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs

Introduced: 2009

Okefenokee Oar

Teams: Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs

Introduced: 2009

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Apple Cup

Teams: Washington Huskies vs. Washington State Cougars

Introduced: 1962

Apple Cup

Teams: Washington Huskies vs. Washington State Cougars

Introduced: 1962

Photo: Stephen Brashear, Getty Images

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Hardee's Trophy

Teams: Clemson Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Hardee's Trophy

Teams: Clemson Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Photo: The State, MCT Via Getty Images

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Magnolia Bowl

Teams: LSU Tigers vs. Ole Miss Rebels

Introduced: 2008

Magnolia Bowl

Teams: LSU Tigers vs. Ole Miss Rebels

Introduced: 2008

Photo: Chris Graythen, Getty Images

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Mayor's Cup

Teams: Rice Owls vs. SMU Mustangs

Introduced: 1998

Mayor's Cup

Teams: Rice Owls vs. SMU Mustangs

Introduced: 1998

Photo: JOHN F. RHODES/Staff Photographe, 144930

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Secretary's Trophy

Teams: Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen

Secretary's Trophy

Teams: Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen

Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images

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Golden Boot

Teams: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers

Golden Boot

Teams: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers

Photo: Collegiate Images, Collegiate Images/Getty Images

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Victory Bell

Teams: UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans

Victory Bell

Teams: UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans

Photo: Collegiate Images, Collegiate Images/Getty Images

Revisiting the Bayou Bucket rivalry's memorable games

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